Netanyahureacted as expected. Bluster substitutes for reason. "(T)here are no measures that will make Iran heed the demands of the international community aside from military sanctions against it," he said.

Iran won't end its "military nuclear program. (It) continues to violate all the international standards. Therefore I believe that the world must tighten the sanctions and make it clear that if it continues with its plan, there will be military sanctions."

He was Washington's man in Tehran. He remained so until the Islamic Republic of Iran replaced him.

Iranians aren't about to roll over for America. Their independence matters more. They're not about to surrender it nor should they.

US demands have no legitimacy. International law is clear. No nation may interfere in the internal affairs of others.

The 1648 Treaty of Westphalia established the principle of state sovereignty. Foreign interference and/or intervention are prohibited.

Kellogg-Briand promised wars would no longer resolve "disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them."

Article 8 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention of Rights and Duties states:

"No state has the right to intervene in the internal or external affairs of another."

Under Article 10, differences between states "should be settled by recognized pacific methods."

Article 11 calls sovereign state territory "inviolable...."

The UN Charter mandates state sovereignty, equality among all nations, non-interference in their domestic affairs, self-determination, non-interference in other states' internal affairs, settling disputes peacefully, and avoiding threats or force.

Article 2(4) states:

"All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations."

Washington considers international, constitutional, and US statute laws quaint and out of date. They're systematically spurned. Independent states like Iran aren't tolerated. They're targeted and vulnerable.

Replacing them is prioritized. All options are considered. If diplomacy, sanctions, saber rattling, and other tactics fail, expect war. It's longtime US policy.

Warmongering zealots run things. Obama nominally heads them. New wars follow ongoing ones. Iran very much is threatened. It's been that way for decades.

It's especially so post-9/11. War on terror extremism threatens humanity. One country after another is ravaged. Iran's on America's target list.

On February 27, Reuters headlined "World powers and Iran set new talks in nuclear dispute."

Two days of talks failed. No breakthroughs were achieved. None were expected. Reuters quoted Interfax saying:

"So far there is no particular rapprochement. There is an impression that the atmosphere is not very good."

An Iranian source said Western states offered nothing. It didn't surprise.

Plans are to resume talks in Istanbul on March 17 and 18. Follow-up ones will continue in Almaty on April 5 and 6.

Before talks began, Secretary of State John Kerry warned of "terrible consequences." It they failed, they'll follow, he suggested. He knew in advance they would. Washington rejects conciliation. It doesn't negotiate. It demands.

"There is still time," said Kerry, "but only if Iran makes the decision to come to the table an negotiate in good faith."

It does so every time. Failure follows. Without a legitimate partner, it's certain.

KerrySpeak claims otherwise. "We are prepared to negotiate in good faith in mutual respect, in an effort to avoid whatever terrible consequences could follow failure," he said.

He stopped short of suggesting war. Obama prioritizes it. All options will be used to deny Iran nuclear weapons, he says. He knows none exist or are planned. Claiming otherwise is willful deception. It's standard US policy. Hegemons operate that way.

Iran is clear and unequivocal. It's entitled to enrich uranium under NPT provisions. It does so lawfully. It won't stop because Washington and Israel insist. Nor will it accede to their other illegitimate demands.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

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